Our New Normal

“At times the world may seem an unfriendly and sinister place, but believe that there is much more good in it than bad. All you have to do is look hard enough. and what might seem to be a series of unfortunate events may in fact be the first steps of a journey.”
― Lemony Snicket

A month ago I woke up about this time to get ready to go to work at the elementary school where I have been teaching for almost three decades.  That day seems like a lifetime ago.  There have been so many changes since that day that most of the things I perceived as normal are almost unrecognizable.

The hallway leading to my classroom remains empty day after day.  My classroom looks exactly as it did the day we left school Friday, March 13.

 

In the past month, my world has become smaller and smaller as I have worked from home and stayed in my neighborhood.  There are signs everywhere of the changes.

Parks and other places where people gather are closed.

 

 

 

 

 

Restaurants can only provide take out options.

 

 

There are signs everywhere of our “new normal”.

 

Many have used chalk to express their feelings.

 

My heart aches for the seniors in high school and in college.

Along with expressions of frustration, there are messages of encouragement.

 

I have seen so many things in the past month that make me incredibly hopeful for the future.  I have seen school personnel and families working together to create a remote learning model that meets the needs of students and their families.

Children have been spending more time outdoors.  I even witnessed children climbing trees in my neighborhood.

Families have been taking walks together.

More people have been connecting with nature.

My hope is that you and all who you love stay healthy.  I also hope that the positive changes that this crisis have brought about will continue once things are back to “normal”.  I hope we remain connected to God, to nature, and to each other.  I hope we continue to cherish the things that we have discovered are really important.

Take care of you and yours!